The diagnostic value of aquaporin-4 antibodies in central nervous system diseases

Identification of aquaporin-4 antibodies in neuromyelitis optica is highly important to provide early diagnosis for starting pathogenetic treatment, and for differential diagnosis in neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders. In this paper, we review current methods of detection of aquaporin-4 antibodies. We present our data on the identification of aquaporin-4 antibodies by ELISA with antigen-presenting cells and evaluate the diagnostic value of this method. Aquaporin-4 antibodies were detected in 83.33% of patients with neuromyelitis optica, in 6.67% of patients with longitudinally extensive transverse myelitis, and in 100% of patients with systemic lupus erythematosus with longitudinally extensive transverse myelitis. The assay sensitivity was 83% in neuromyelitis optica and 24% in neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders; the specificity was 100%.